WHERE IS GOD? 3/12/17

Where is God when we need Him?  Is He in the whirlwind of our lives?  Is He in the turmoil of our hearts?  Is He in the love we have for our children, our spouse, our closest friend?  Will we find Him in our jobs, the pub, our Church, our best form of entertainment and distraction, etc? etc?

King David, the beloved of God Who called him, ‘a man after My own heart’, is an example of one who wondered, “Where are You, Elohim?” Psalm 41, depicts his strong yearning for God:  (vs. 1 & 2): “ As the hind longs for the running water, so my soul longs for you, O God.  Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.  When shall I go and behold the face of God.”  Psalm 63, written in the wilderness of Judah, shows David’s yearning for his God:  “O God, You are my God Whom I seek; for You, my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.”  Don’t we feel like that at times?  Where are You, God?

Does it seem that the wicked of the world get ahead, and that we wonder why we, the faithful ones, have to work so hard to  make ends meet?  Isn’t it easier to go the ‘way of the wicked’?

Is it?  “For His sun rises on the bad and the good, He rains on the just and the unjust.” ( Matthew 7, 44-45) 

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

“This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” “I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:1-3,12,22-23

Jeremiah 12;1B says,  “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?Why do all the faithless live at ease?”

Many of us feel alone, that God is not answering, He is so far away-Are we doing our part? Are we listening to the Lord? Are we obedient, are we trusting? Do we reflect on God’s love for us, that He will never leave us or forsake us, that He is our faithful God, loving us unconditionally?  Are we like the disciples in the boat when a storm arose and Jesus was fast asleep?  They awakened Jesus Who had to reprimand them for their lack of faith!  (Luke 8:24-25 )   Are we like Martha and Mary who hoped Jesus had come earlier so that Lazarus, their brother, would not have died?  Little did they know the best was yet to come!  “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Yet, I know that whatever You ask of God, He will give You.”  (John 11)

There are several examples in Scripture about people in need, waiting on the Lord.  Joseph, who had been thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into Egypt, was imprisoned unjustly,  served the Pharaoh faithfully,  did he cry out to the Lord?  If anyone could have said,  “Where are You, God?”, it was Joseph!   (Genesis 37)  What about Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s  mother?  She cried out to the Lord, imploring to have a baby, and God answered her prayer after much travail.  Did she say,

“Where are You, God?”  ( 1 Samuel 1)

Our greatest example is the Lord Jesus Himself.  When Jesus hung on the cross for our salvation, He cried out to His Father, “My God!  My God!  Why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46  This is the most desolate prayer ever spoken !  Jesus’ broken heart was deserted even by His Heavenly Father!  And all this, for US!  There was no one to comfort Him!  And, all for us!  Yet, the greatest miracle of all came!  Jesus rose from the dead!  He lives forever!  We have eternal life!  Yes! The best happened!  Praise God!

When we reflect on these heroes and heroines of Scripture, and particularly, the truth of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, we can also reflect that our question, “”Where is God when I need Him?” is answered!  He is always with us, beside us, inside us, guiding His children, strengthening us, pleased that we have learned what He wanted to teach us and fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives. He is a loving, faithful God, Father of Our Lord Jesus, the Christ!  Alleluia!

Forgive and Bless those who persecute you.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22 

Are we hurting?  Are we angry with those who hurt us?

Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

The Lord has been speaking to me about forgiveness and blessing those who hurt me. I remember what my pastor said to me after I shared with him my situation. Pastor said, “Forgive, bless and release.” It is not easy but it is a choice as well as a command from the Lord Jesus. Thank God I was able to forgive, bless, and release, rather than stay bitter and angry. Praise God!

Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Jesus tells us to forgive anyone who may be hurting us now or has hurt us in the past.  Walking in true forgiveness is vital for our own spiritual walk, a physical health, and restoration/reconciliation. The enemy will try to destroy our walk with our Lord Jesus Christ by our building a wall of unforgiveness in our hearts. Unforgiveness produces in us a root of bitterness that poisons our entire system.

Jesus recognized this problem and often taught this lesson. In Matthew Jesus preached the absolute necessity of our taking responsibility of forgiving others. When we think about it, we come to realize that forgiveness is for our good. Sometimes our own selfishness creates many unnecessary struggles over the years. Even now, selfish resentment creeps in and we have to deal with it. Let us recognized and deal with it before it gets worse! Unforgiveness is based on pride and selfishness. We say, “I have a right to be happy…..”   Jeremiah 17:5 says, “A man is cursed when he takes his trust from the Lord and puts it in flesh.”

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Romans 12:17-19

Let us remember all things are under the control of our God, who is the God of the universe. Romans 8:31 say, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

What is the meaning of forgiveness? It is like canceling a debt. It is  releasing the offender from your hook and putting them on God's hook for Him to deal with justly.

We have no greater example of love and forgiveness than our Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus went through pain and suffering, more than anyone can endure. He was rejected by Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests and leaders of the people. Even Jesus disciple/ fled when He was arrested! (Matt 26:56b). Later on, after Jesus was crucified, His blood poured out in love, Jesus said, “Father forgives them, for they do not know what they do.”(Luke23:34)

Stephen, the first martyr. Followed our Lord example. Acts 7:60 says, “Lord do not holed charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 says, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

For if we forgive men when they sin against us, our heavenly Father will also forgive us. But if we do not forgive men their sins, our Father will not forgive our sins."  Our Heavenly Father created us and loves us very much; He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Today, let us seek our Lord for His love and compassion as only He can give.  If someone should hurt, ridicule, reject or abandon us, we know Our Heavenly Father will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Let us forgive, bless. Release in Jesus Name! Amen!